I am so scared. I have a full face lift scheduled for Wed. Female age 46.?

Question

I quit smoking Dec.2006. I started smoking a few puffs a day just a few weeks ago...u know in the am with my coffee. The reason that I started smoking again was because I am nervous about the surgery. YOU ARE NOT SUPPOSE TO SMOKE AT ALL 2 WEEKS BEFORE A FACE LIFT AND i HAD a few puffs of cigarette yesterday and a few today. I know this sounds silly, but apparently it is a big thing with scarring and loss of skin.

Pleas help any suggestions from anyone who is familiar with cosmetic surgery and smoking.

I know most of u will say that i should not be having it at all.....

Answer 1

I'm not going to say anything about your choice of surgery. That's your decision.

Smoking is a real problem, though.  Plastic surgeons just hate it when the skin flap dies.  It's a BIG problem.  Smoking robs your body of the ability to provide oxygen to the tissues, and they need oxygen to heal.  Some of the skin flaps can be a little iffy, and smoking can make a huge difference in whether the skin lives or dies.

A few puffs isn't going to make much of a difference, but you really need to totally quit for at least 6 weeks after the surgery (quitting forever is best - smoking ages your skin terribly)

Good luck.  Don't smoke on the morning of surgery.  They'll smell it on you.

Answer 2

If it has truly been "Just a few puffs" each morning, not several cigarettes a day, you should be just fine.  The problem is that smoking reduces blood flow and CAN create healing complications.  It does for any kind of surgery, but when you are having surgery specifically to make your face look BETTER you don't want to risk a devastating complication that makes you end up looking disfigured instead of better, just becasue you couldnt quit smoking.  That is one of the risks you agree to in the preop consent so the doctor cant be held liable if you smoke and your new face falls off. (Not literally of course, I am just being graphic, lol).

They make these serious demands of you for YOUR safety, and for a good outcome.  And the truth is that one cigarette usually leads to another.  So really, you should take it seriously, avoid any more falls, and continue to leave he smokes alone and I am sure if it really was just a few puffs it won't hurt.  Just don't tempt fate....or wind up wasting thousands of dollars.  Good luck and enjoy your new face!   And maybe you'll  lose the smokes forever!   :-)

Answer 3

What Dr. Pangolin said -- great advice. If I could give more than one "thumbs up" I would, for that great response.

Good luck with your procedure.